On Top of the World: Five Women Explorers in Tibet

by Luree Miller

Describes the adventures of five Victorian women, English, American, and French, who explored Tibet.

I. English lady travelers: Nina Mazuchelli, Annie Taylor, Isabella Bird Bishop --
II. American mountaineer explorer: Fanny Bullock Workman --
III. French scholar adventurer: Alexandra David-Neel

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography, Feminism, Historical

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful telling of 5 women who lived their lives to the fullest. They are quite inspiring, and I really enjoyed reading about their experiences. I was lucky enough to have won this through a Goodreads giveaway, and it was a great reminder that when you put your heart and soul into your life and dreams, wonderful experiences will be had.

[Karmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the women featured in this book undertook their journeys in their 40s and later. A feat unimaginable, when many did not live much longer than 40-50.

Annie Taylor's story is amazing. A missionary, as many of the early explorers were, she almost made it to Lhasa, Tibet, only to be turned back by soldiers. She was almost on her town, accompanied only by 5 Asians; two later died. The Tibetan military arranged for her return to India with escort and as it took place in the winter, took over 4 months. Unfortunately, very little is known after her return to England, even her death.

Isabella Lucy Bird is the best known of the women. Member Royal Geographic Society, wrote 9 travel books, all best-sellers. Another religious and illness beset woman.

Fanny Bullock Workman, American from New England, traveled extensively with her husband.

Alexandra David-Neel, Belgian/French, was a lifelong student of Buddhism and Tibet. She undertook to study at many of the monasteries in the Tibetan language. She turned her scholarship to a career as author and teacher, garnering numerous awards/recognitions before her death just shy of 101.

Nina Mazuchelli was the first Western woman to see Mount Everest and explore the Himalayas.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible explorations by women, usually traveling independently, in 19th and 20th century. Some kept their fastidious European culture and dress, others entered totally into the culture. Isabella Bird, later Bishop, is familiar from her Rocky Mountain explorations, but also spent years exploring in Asia. Fanny Bullock Workman with her husband explored and climbed extensively, accomplishing incredible feats of endurance. Alexandra David-Neel was a celebrated Tibetan and Buddhist scholar, who spent her life making multiple trips into the country, including traveling disguised as an elderly woman traveling with her lama-"son", the young man Yogden, who was her guide and companion over most of her life.

The author tells their stories well, and introduces us to these women sympathetically.

[Catherine Stickann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a pleasure to review a book that tells the story of five women that explore the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet. Three of the women are English travelers, one is an American and one is a French scholar. These women were often dressed in traditional Victorian dress while climbing at 17,000 feet plus. They were brave and inventive about their travels across borders and onto land no women had traversed. I found most interesting, Alexandra David-Neel a scholar of Buddhism. She could speak and read Tibetan like a native. She traveled as a Tibetan beggar. Her tale is incredible and I am so happy that I stumbled across it.
I recommend “On Top of the World” by Luree Miller to anyone interested in travel to remote places and strong women. This very interesting book is well worth a read. 4 STARS
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I do not know the author.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Underwhelming. I hoped for so much more, but this was just really a summary of how the author interpreted others' notes and writings and I found the book quite outdated and stereotypical in her perceptions of women adventurers.

[Cindelu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads.

This book told the fascinating stories of 4 women who lived from the 1850's to early 1900's. These women dared to defy societies norms and traveled extensively in the regions of China and Tibet where even few men dared to go.
They climbed mountains, forded rivers, endured freezing cold and horrible heat. They fought off bandits with a whip, often went hungry and endured miserable living conditions.
These were middle to upper class women who had never encountered these things before but due to their determination to see the world and an insatiable wanderlust they broke ground for all of us.
It was amazing to read of the hardships they overcame, the politics they encountered and the books and journals they wrote.
Proof that women can endure just about anything.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for this wonderful book, which I won free as Goodreads first-reads. These five women who explored Tibet, India, China and the Himalayans; were so ahead of their time, doing most of their travel and explorations in the 1800's. This was a time when most borders were open, so they could mostly move freely. Some of the women had husbands that accompanied them and provided financial support. Most of these ladies were very educated speaking several languages. They were smart to record their experiences in books, otherwise they would have been lost in history

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of the adventures of female explorers. Although each woman had their own unique experiences (an entourage of servants, a bicycle, mastery of the Tibetan language), it took a great amount of courage and fortitude to travel through mountain passes and dangerous terrain, especially during such an early period in our history.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow- climbing mountains in a corset and dress. Oh wait, she's strapped to a chair on the back of a sherpa!
This book is a super interesting look at some daring women in the early 1800's who managed to (mostly) buck convention and travel the mysterious east.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a little too scholarly to make for enjoyable reading. But learning about five extraordinary women 100 to 150 years ago trekking for months through snow-covered mountain passes was amazing.

[Melissa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.
A true history-lover's book. I learned much from this book. These women were pioneers, way ahead of their time. Truly remarkable women proving that they could do what only men in that era did.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from goodreads. This is an extremely inspiring book about women past their 40's traveling and showing guts and courage beyond measure..this is a must read to all

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely inspiring book. These women had guts and courage beyond measure. I wish I could be half of what they were. An eye opening read I would recommend to anyone.

[CTB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the courage and intrepidness of the women profiled in this book. Wanderlust!